Ahsoka was slow to return to the briefing room. She had half the urge to turn around and hunt Tarkin down, but the rest of her said otherwise. Hunting him down would be foolish. Besides, how would it look if a Jedi padawan took down an 'innocent' captain?
The doors of the briefing room opened and Ahsoka reluctantly stepped inside. She was very late and was not in the mood to deal with her master's disappointment.
Gathered around the holotable was her master, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Plo Koon. Ahsoka inhaled deeply before standing by her master's side. Anakin did not bother to glance down at her to acknowledge her presence. She hung her head in shame.
"It was good of you to join us, Little 'Soka," Plo commented.
Ahsoka looked up and gave him a small smile.
"As I was saying," Obi Wan said. "The outpost will be hard to take because of the weather conditions."
"It will be hard, I agree," Anakin commented.
Ahsoka quickly examined the information displayed on the holotable. She gathered that a small Jedi strike team and a squadron of clones were to capture a Separatist outpost on Adari.
"The weather conditions?" she asked.
Obi Wan tapped the holotable and the planet Adari appeared. He zoomed in on the far side of the planet.
"The droids built their base deep in the mountains," he explained. "Adarian winters are said to be...unpredictably cold."
Ahsoka nodded.
"We must be cautious," Plo warned his fellow Jedi.
"Ahsoka and I will prepare our shuttle," Anakin said.
Obi Wan and Plo bowed politely before leaving Anakin and Ahsoka alone in the briefing room. Once the two Jedi had left, Ahsoka could not contain herself.
"Master, I cannot go on this mission," she blurted.
This comment took Anakin by surprise. He deactivated the holotable and let out a deep sigh.
"Ahsoka, I don't want to even ask why you were late-"
"Then don't," Ahsoka interrupted.
Anakin struggled to contain his frustration towards his padawan. He crossed his arms and leaned against the holotable.
"Ahsoka...does this have to do with your suspicions towards Captain Tarkin?"
Ahsoka bit her lip as a cold shiver ran down her spine.
"Yes, Master."
Anakin reached out and placed both hands on his padawan's shoulders. Ahsoka gratefully looked up at him.
"I'm worried about you," Anakin said slowly.
"I know, Master-"
"Which is why I want you by my side," Anakin continued, tightening his grip on her shoulders. "Accompany me to Adari and help me take the base."
Ahsoka gave her master a weak smile before nodding in agreement. She felt a sense of comfort knowing that Anakin wanted her to be with him on this mission.
"I'll go prepare our shuttle, Master," she said confidently.
Anakin smiled as his padawan turned and left the briefing room. Obi Wan was right about one thing. He had to have more faith in Ahsoka.
The shuttle rattled violently as it passed through the Adarian atmosphere. Ahsoka had studied the mission details more closely on the journey there. The separatist outpost was located at the base of a mountain on the north side of the planet. The heavy snow would allow the shuttle to land near the base without being spotted. Anakin and Obi Wan were to distract the anti-air guns and turrets and take them out so Republic reinforcements could arrive later on. Ahsoka and Plo Koon would take the small squad of clones and enter the base and secure the ground floor and wait for Anakin and Obi Wan to rejoin them.
"Are you ready, Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka gave her master a smile. He smiled in return and motioned for them to put on their winter survival gear.
"Couldn't the Separatists have built this base in a warmer climate?" she grumbled.
Anakin grinned as he slipped into his survival jacket.
"Maybe next time, Snips," he teased.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes and finished gearing up. Her jacket was heavy but flexible enough for fighting. The hood fastened over her montrals, protecting them from the cold. She had worn thermal leggings and boots with better traction for walking in the snow. Ahsoka disliked the cold and wished that the mission would not take too long.
The shuttle shook again as it landed roughly on the snow. Obi Wan and Plo Koon exited the cockpit and proceeded to gear up. The small group of clones patiently waited in their seats.
"Are we all clear on the plan?" Plo asked, breaking the silence.
Commander Cody quickly stood up to acknowledge the General.
"Yes, Sir," the commander answered.
"Let's hope this plan works," Obi Wan commented while fiddling with his gloves. "I am no fan of the snow."
Anakin hit the controls on the wall of the shuttle and the ramp slowly lowered. The cold wind entered the shuttle with force. Ahsoka felt as though she had been slapped in the face. She quickly adjusted her hood to compensate.
"Alright, we only have one shot at this," Anakin announced. "We must clear this base before the Republic reinforcements arrive."
Ahsoka nodded. She was on a different planet and away from Tarkin. She was to infiltrate a Separatist base and secure it for the Republic, which would ultimately cause the Separatists to leave Adari. It was what she liked to do. Tarkin would not stop her from doing her job.
She began to follow her master out of the shuttle.
"Remember Ahsoka, I am here if you need me."
The image of Ahsoka's mother entered her mind. Ahsoka stopped and let out a small sigh of relief.
"No one is going to hurt you, my sweet" her mother's voice continued. "I won't let them."
"Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka quickly gathered her thoughts as a concerned Obi Wan looked down on her.
"I'm alright, Master," she said. "Let's go."
I'm sorry for the long wait. Writer's block is not fun at all.